The word doula can be translated to: woman servant. A birth and/or postpartum doula is someone who is hired and positioned to support and serve a mother during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Most of this care consists of, but is not limited to, providing education and resources on pregnancy, physiology of birth, laboring techniques and strategies, navigating a planned cesarean, care provider options to your local area, and how to care for yourself and your new baby, etc. Doulas will also provide emotional and physical support during these stages and seasons. Uniquely, I can also provide prayer and spiritual support. One note to make in all of this is that doulas are not medical professionals—we are not licensed to diagnose, administer anything, or make any kind of medical decision for you.

This will look different for each mother (or family).

In our current day and western culture, we are at least a few generations removed from women simply being present to care for a mother during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as offer wisdom and education. While other members of your medical care team will potentially change shifts and move around, when a doula is hired to be a part of your care team, consistent support is offered, where it otherwise is not built into the experience.

Some examples of how a doula can care for you would be: answering text messages through the day to answer the questions you have about what’s going on in your body; coaching your partner so they can be your main source of support; keeping an atmosphere of peace and calm in your birthing environment; helping you find optimal labor and birthing movements/positions; making sure you’re staying hydrated and fed; encouraging you (and your partner) to ask questions or have further conversation with your medical birth team during labor and birth; or even helping you transition into receiving a cesarean and supporting that process.

While specific outcomes cannot be guaranteed for your labor and birth, a 2013 study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23076901/) found that when women have the continuous support of a doula, mothers’ overall satisfaction of the birth experience increased.

The transition into motherhood is one that brings a lot of transformation for a woman. Having non-judgmental, encouraging, educational, and consistent support is not only helpful for a specific birth experience, but for the mental/emotional and physical health of a woman experiencing this transition–and what an honor it is to provide that care as a doula. 

If having doula support resonates with you in the beginning of your pregnancy, then I would recommend reaching out as soon as you are able. At that time, we would determine if I am available for your birth, then map out prenatal appointments together for the second and/or third trimesters of your pregnancy. Do not fear; however, if you make a decision later in pregnancy to have the support of a doula. Again, I would reach out as soon as you are able, then we would determine if I am available for your birth, and map out prenatal appointments together.

At this current time, I am not available for providing postpartum care specifically; however, this will be offered soon, so keep your eyes peeled for this!

I received my certification through the International Doula Institute. I am also connected into a few different doula networks where I have resources to continuing education and camaraderie.

For most of my adult life, I have been passionate about learning about pregnancy and birth, finding interest in hearing women’s birth stories, listening to birth podcasts for fun, and even taking a couple online birth education classes long before becoming a doula was in my line of sight.